How to Face Failure in Career
Nobody likes to think about failure, especially when it comes to a career. Despite this, failure can and does happen, to everyone from fresh graduates to experienced professionals. So how can you cope with failure in a professional setting? The following tips can help.
Reflect Constructively
When things don’t go to plan, take some time to reflect on what went wrong. Instead of pairing this reflection with negative self-talk, focus on how you can move forward. Consider:
- What contributed to the failure?
- What can you learn from this experience?
- What behaviors need to change?
- How can you improve in future?
Reach Out For Support
If you’re feeling down after a failure, don’t keep your feelings bottled up. It’s important to reach out for support from people you trust. This can include colleagues, professors, mentors or family members. It can also be helpful to develop a network of professionals, who can support you during job searches and other times of uncertainty.
Practice Self-Care
Failure can often take a toll on our mental wellbeing and physical health. To help your recovery, practice self-care. Schedule time to do activities you enjoy, spend time with positive people, and get plenty of sleep. Compassion towards yourself and exercising regularly can also be beneficial.
Stay Productive
Instead of wallowing in self-pity, keep moving forward. You may want to channel some of your energy into professional development opportunities, such as attending relevant seminars, or improving skills through online learning. Spending some time updating your CV or LinkedIn profile can also help you stay productive and mentally focused.
Focus On Goals
Failure can put you off achieving your goals, but don’t let it derail your progress. Instead, use any setbacks to remind yourself of the importance of perseverance and resilience. Reassess your goals if needed, and focus on what you can do to keep working towards them.
Failure can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to define you. By following the tips above, you can more easily cope with feeling of failure, and help yourself move forward in your career.
